The company said it has started using technology solutions across its key functions through remote production of content over mobile and professional cameras to support broadcast, digital and social platforms. All the content has been shot at the homes of the respective celebrities using mobile phones.

MUMBAI: Even as all production activities are halted in Mumbai due to the lockdown, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) said Thursday that it has created original content for its consumers.

The company said it has started using technology solutions across its key functions through remote production of content over mobile and professional cameras to support broadcast, digital and social platforms.

“I am very proud of our teams for making the optimal utilisation of technology solutions to ensure that our consumers continued to get a fresh dosage of entertainment content, amidst the lockdown,” said Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEE. “We will continue to create fresh, rich and engaging content for our viewers, by discovering new means and paths. It is time for the Industry to define a new normal, to ensure that our consumers remain well-informed and entertained.”

For television, ZEE is bringing together the music industry across 10 states with celebrities, music stalwarts, best of Saregamapa singers and judges to deliver a 25 year silver jubilee concert.

The 25-hour live music marathon, ‘Ek Desh Ek Raag’ will raise funds for India ‘COVID Response Fund’ by GiveIndia.

As a first of its kind TV + Digital Musical initiative, the 25-hour digital live-athon will start on May 23rd on Zee TV and our other popular channels. The title song of the iconic singing reality show is being rendered in 10 languages with the contribution of Pandit Jasraj, Ronu Majumdar, Selva Ganesh, Himesh Reshammiya, Shaan, Udit Narayan and others.

The company will also launch new non-fiction shows two non-fiction shows, ‘Lockdown Diaries’ and ‘Coffee with Anu’ in on Zee Kannada and three non-fiction shows on Zee Marathi - ‘Vedh Bhavishyacha’ (a spiritual chat show), ‘Gharchya Ghari Home Minister’ (a virtual format of the popular show ‘Home Minister’) and ‘Gharat Basle Saare’ (a standup comedy puppet show by Ramdas Pandhye).

The popular Marathi channel will also offer four new fiction shows, shot locally in Maharashtra under the new social distancing guidelines.

Zee Bangla has also launched three new shows, including ‘Lockdown Diaries’, which is completely shot on mobile and is a tribute to the human spirit of fighting through short stories that aim to portray the human bonding, family strength and positivity.

ZEE’s Odia channel Zee Sarthak, which has been airing ‘Lockdown Challenge’, showcasing lives of leading celebrities during the lockdown, is also ready with a two-hour original movie, ‘Mu Tame Lockdown’ to be launched this June 2020.

All the content has been shot at the homes of the respective celebrities using mobile phones.

On the digital front, ZEE5, which launched 11 new original shows and movies amidst the lockdown, will also release five new shows by the end of May. These include ‘Bhalla Calling Bhalla’, ‘Never Kiss Your Best Friend’ (Lockdown Special), and ‘Kaalchakra’.

The platform will also release Bollywood film ‘Ghoomketu’ on May 22nd.

ZEE’s live Entertainment vertical has converted its on-ground IP – Supermoon into Supermoon Live to Home. Streaming May 23rd, ‘Supermoon Live to Home’, will present 12 weeks of original content with acts of over 24 artists and bands including Bickram Ghosh, Palash Sen, Sahil Khattar, Varun Thakur, Mame Khan, and Parkirama.

ZEE Music Company, meanwhile, will add over 1,000 songs to its catalogue this year despite the lockdown phase, the company said.

During the lockdown phase itself, the vertical has released over 120 songs. The vertical is also focusing on creating ZEE Music Originals, home-shot music videos by renowned artists.

The company is using its facility in Jaipur (Essel Vision) as a hub for post-production and edit support.